MATT LAUER FIRED OVER CLAIMS OF ‘INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR’

“On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer,” NBC News Chairman said in a statement. “It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment. While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.”

Visibly upset, Guthrie said she and Hoda Kotbhad only learned of his firing moments before going on the air.

“We are heartbroken. I’m heartbroken for Matt, he is my dear, dear friend and my partner, and he has been loved by many, many people here,” Guthrie said. “And I’m heartbroken for the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story, and any other women who have their own stories to tell.”

She allegedly went to NBC human resources on Monday and after a swift investigation by the NBC legal department, NBC News Chairman Andy Lack decided to fire Lauer on Tuesday.

Lauer had anchored the Today show since 1997 and had reportedly been earning $25 million a year.

The 59-year-old anchor is the latest high profile celebrity to lose their jobs over sexual misconduct, following on the heels of Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Charlie Rose, Jeremy Piven, Louis CK and others.